How to Make an LED Lamp

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In this video I'm going to show you how to make an LED lamp. I call it the bleeding lamp because the light bleeds through the openings in the panels. This was a pretty complex build including lots of woodworking, intricate assembly and detailed electrical wiring. First I made the base with my jigsaw and belt sander, then I made the post from a dowel. I glued and clamped the assembly and then drilled the hole in the post for the wire. Next I moved onto the panel frames. I made this with the miter saw. The final components were the panels. I made those on the miter saw and table saw.

I finished the base and frame with shou sugi ban (burned wood) and then grey washed. The panels were spray painted white.

The assembly and electrical were complicated. I started by laying out the led strips and soldering wire to them. Then I ran the wire through the post and connected the LED switch and LED power supply. Finally, I added and nice piece of felt to the bottom of the lamp.

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1x6 Pin

1/4" plywood

1 1/2" dowel

1 1/2" forstner bit

LED Light Strips

LED wire

LED Power Supply

LED Switch

Wood Glue

CA Glue

1" Brad Nails

Paint/Stain

Mark out two 5" circles on a piece of 1x6. Using a jigsaw, cut one to the exact size and the other about 1/4" larger than the markings. Now, using a 1 1/2" forstner bit, drill all the way through one of the two pieces.

Glue and clamp the two pieces together and let dry. Once dry, drill a through hole for the wire.

Using a router flush trim bit, trim off the excess material from the piece not cut perfectly to size.

Finally, add whatever features are needed to install the switch and wiring for power.

Note: I put my switch and power wire on the same side. I would suggest putting them on opposite sides.

Cut 2 pieces of 1x6 to 5 1/2" long to make a square. Then mark out a 5 1/2" octagon on one piece and cut the corners where marked at 45 degrees. All the sides should be the same length. Now, trace that shape on to the next piece and cut out a matching piece.

Using your 1 1/2" forstner bit, drill about half way though the center of one of the pieces. Now take that same piece and cut 4 slots on the opposite side of the hole and perpendicular to each side (See image). These slots should be wide and deep enough to fit the LED wires in.

Using a piece of 1 1/2" dowel, cut to the desired lamp height. I cut mine to 5". The longer it is, the harder it will be to drill a hole through for the wiring.

Now assemble the dowel to the base and bottom frame piece using wood glue and clamps. Make sure everything is square and adjust the clamps if it is not.

Finally, drill a hole all the way though the post to run the wire.

Using 1/4" plywood cut 8 2" x 8" pieces.

Finish the lamp components with your finish of choice. For my lamp, I used Shou Sugi Ban, gray wash, paste wax and white paint.

Now, install all the LED strips and solider on long wires. Carefully run the wires through the groove and through the post to the bottom of the lamp. I used CA glue to secure the wire in the slots and then covered up the wires and slots with a piece of felt. Nail the panels to the frame. I let them overhang the frames by 1/2".

Solider and heat shrink all the connections in the bottom of the lamp for the components you purchased. If you need a little more space, carefully use a chisel to create more room. Tuck the wires in and CA glue them down.

Now, cover the bottom of the lamp with felt to cover the wiring.

Finally, fill in any holes and sand any imperfections and touchup any paint that needs it!

Enjoy your unique lamp that you will never see in anyone else's home!